Riding for trainer Craig Dollase, Gomez was third, beaten three-quarters of a length, in his first ride on the Kentucky-bred colt in the San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) on Feb. 5.

"I liked his trip in the San Antonio," said the 34-year-old rider. "I was sitting in behind horses and I thought he'd go ahead and quicken when I got him out. It was his first route race since he's been back. He went from seven eighths (11th in the Malibu) to a mile and an eighth (in the San Antonio), so I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

"He got a little tired inside the eighth pole when I uncovered him from behind horses," Gomez explained. "But even towards the wire, he was picking them up inch by inch so the overall effort was good. He felt good when I worked him at Hollywood. I'm looking for a big effort."

Wilko drilled seven furlongs Sunday in a bullet 1:25 2/5.

Wilko, with earnings of $1,076,574, is a diminutive son of Awesome Again. "He's a little bitty thing," Gomez said, "but it's the size of his heart that counts."

The Santa Anita Handicap and the Santa Catalina Stakes (gr. II) will be televised live on ESPN News.